Rochelle & Brian Wendling

When Rochelle and Brian Wendling were married 1986, they pledged their love through sickness and health. What they never dreamed was that they would love and support the other as they each battled cancer. Rochelle was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001; Brian with non-Hodgkins lymphoma in 2002.

"We laugh. We admit it’s gallows humor but you’ve got to laugh. We crack jokes about Chernobyl and Love Canal. It’s too odd for reality," said Rochelle.

When Rochelle discovered a lump in her breast, her doctor recommended a needle biopsy. The results came back negative – no cancer. While this was obviously good news, Rochelle was still concerned. "I have a family history of cancer and wanted to be thorough, so I went to Roswell Park for a second opinion." Further diagnostic testing revealed stage II breast cancer and Rochelle was treated with a mastectomy followed by chemotherapy. She remains cancer free.

As Rochelle was finishing her treatment, Brian began to have severe pain in his neck and back. After ignoring the symptoms for as long as he could, Brian went to the emergency room late one evening. Doctors found collapsed vertebra in his neck. Within a few days, he had surgery to replace the vertebra. A biopsy on the tissue resulted in a diagnosis of non-Hodgkins lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system.

Rochelle insisted her husband be treated at Roswell Park, where he received radiation and chemotherapy. "I feel better than I have in years. However, the doctors are watching me closely so if the cancer does return, it can be treated right away. I don’t know if either of us would be here today without Roswell Park."

Rochelle and Brian developed their own system of caring for each other during their battles with cancer. If one is having a bad day, the other lifts their sagging spirits. Neither is allowed to ask, "what if the cancer returns?" Each has promised to approach every day with a positive attitude.

Dreams, once on hold as the couple battled cancer, are moving forward again. Construction is continuing on their dream house being built in Boston, NY. They expect to move in this spring.

The Wendling’s message of hope for the holidays: "The first thing you need to do when you hear the word cancer is get information, ask for a second opinion and find the treatment that is right for you. And fight. It is probably the biggest fight of your life, so decide early on that you are going to win and don’t give up."